Patrick E. Harkins, 70, a Marine Corps veteran and the owner of Association Insurance Plans Inc. of Wheeling, died Wednesday in Lake Forest Hospital. Mr. Harkins graduated from DePaul Academy High School before enlisting in the Marine Corps. He served for two years as a private first class before being discharged in 1946. Mr. Harkins studied at DePaul University before landing a job with Continental Insurance Co. in Chicago, where he worked in the area of special risk policies. He later moved on to Zurich Insurance of Chicago, where he headed the firm’s area of student health insurance. By 1978, Mr. Harkins had decided to set up his own insurance company in Wheeling, working with colleges to provide student health insurance. Survivors include two sons, Thomas and James; seven daughters, Terry, Jeanne, Patti, Jeri Wickboldt, Janice Ledgerwood, Linda Bergren and Lori Koschnick; and 23 grandchildren. Prayers will be said at 9:30 a.m. Friday in Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights. A mass will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Alphonsus Church, 411 N. Wheeling Rd., Prospect Heights.
